Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia plan coordinated response to box ship fires

Evergreen braces customers for Hormuz-induced price spike Evergreen management said at a shareholders’ meeting yesterday that the Taiwanese mainline operator expected fuel ... WTC: FOCUS ON SAVINGS ON BEHALF OF CLIENTSWTC: EARNINGS UPDATE VW: CRISIS UPDATEVW: LOOKING AHEADMAERSK: CATCHING UP RXO: SPOT RATES STRENGTHWTC: AHEAD OF EARNINGS CHRW: LACK OF MOMENTUM JBHT: HEALTHY CORRECTION VW: NEW AI PARTNERSHIPKNIN: RIP KMKMAERSK: ANOTHER UPGRADE DSV: STILL DOWN WTC: FOCUS ON SAVINGS ON BEHALF OF CLIENTSWTC: EARNINGS UPDATE VW: CRISIS UPDATEVW: LOOKING AHEADMAERSK: CATCHING UP RXO: SPOT RATES STRENGTHWTC: AHEAD OF EARNINGS CHRW: LACK OF MOMENTUM JBHT: HEALTHY CORRECTION VW: NEW AI PARTNERSHIPKNIN: RIP KMKMAERSK: ANOTHER UPGRADE DSV: STILL DOWN Singapore is seeking closer cooperation with Malaysia and Indonesia to improve regional response to containership fires. Cargo-related incidents aboard box ships have become an increasing concern for the maritime industry. The move was outlined at the 17th Cooperation Forum in Singapore yesterday, where the three countries discussed navigation safety and marine environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Singapore’s minister for transport, Jeffrey Siow (pictured), said when incidents happened, rapid coordination among relevant authorities was critical to saving lives, limiting environmental damage, and keeping vital shipping routes operational. He said: “In recent years, we have also observed more cargo fires on containerships. Despite our best efforts, marine accidents will occur……When they do, rapid and coordinated action can save lives, limit pollution, and keep the waterway open for others.” One of the most recent containership fires was in Singapore, on Evergreen-owned 9,226 teu Ever Lenient on 10 April, while the vessel was docked at the Pasir Panjang Terminal. The crew and firefighters extinguished the flames. Nearly a quarter of global seaborne trade passes through the Straits of Singapore and Malacca. Against this backdrop, Singapore plans a trilateral procedure covering three key areas: the management and notification of maritime incidents; procedures for identifying containers that are lost overboard; and vessels that have sunk. Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore CEO Ang Wee Keong said more vessel movements, larger ships, and changing cargo profiles were making navigation in the straits more challenging. He said: “We must continue to anticipate new challenges and adapt our approac accordingly.” Allianz Commercial said in its Safety and Shipping Review 2026, more than 200 vessel fire incidents were recorded in 2025, the second-highest annual total in the past decade. The insurer said misdeclared cargo comprised nearly 25% of cargo-related incidents, with batteries and chemicals among the most common causes of fires. Allianz also said that last year, lithium-ion battery cargo volumes were six times higher than five years earlier, and that demand was expected to double again by 2030. For uninterrupted access, sign in or sign up to The Daily News, Premium or The Loadstar Enterprise Plan. Comment on this article